http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/usarmy/ en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:02:06 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416168/posts GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — British and American soldiers soon could be hard to tell apart if the U.S. Army adopts a camouflage pattern similar to one that the British have already picked out to conceal their troops in Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment in eastern Afghanistan are wearing new uniforms featuring the "MultiCam" camouflage pattern as part of a trial conducted by the Army to determine the best way to help troops blend in with their environment. Last week the British Ministry of Defence announced that its troops would soon start wearing a new uniform with a... Stars and Stripes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416168/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:02:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415037/posts A stronger blast, a little less luck, and the horse that Marine Sgt. Michael Blair is riding down an Arlington County trail could easily be pulling his coffin. "It's an honor riding these horses, knowing what they do," he said. The horses that Blair rides in a rehabilitation program for wounded service members also pull the caissons that carry fallen troops for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. At times, Blair rides them along the same road, turning and heading back to the barn before reaching the cemetery. ~snip~ [photo gallery at link] WAPO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415037/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:24:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413322/posts Early last month, Army Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo (left) issued General Order #1 as a means of informing those assigned to his Multi-National Division North (a.k.a., "Task Force Marne") that becoming pregnant -- or assisting in the effort -- is one of several types of conduct deemed "prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline" among members of the 22,000-strong task force headquartered in Tikrit, Iraq. In fact, it ranks alongside alcohol, drugs, guns and similar vices on the general's list of prohibited activities. Bob McCarty Writes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413322/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:21:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413048/posts An Army general in Iraq backed away from his threat today to court martial female soldiers who get pregnant. "I see absolutely no circumstance where I would punish a female soldier by court martial for a violation ... none," Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo III wrote to ABC News in an exclusive statement. " I fully intend to handle these cases through lesser disciplinary action." Cucolo triggered debate, some of it angry, when his Nov. 4 policy forbidding pregnancy among his soldiers became public recently. His policy statement said violation of the rule could be punishable by court martial, and that... ABC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413048/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:41:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411960/posts The Army has begun fielding a new 5.56mm 30-round "improved magazine" that delivers a significant increase in reliability for M-16 and M-4 weapons. Bolstering the already high reliability ratings of the M-16 and M-4, the improved magazine reduces the risk of magazine-related stoppages by more than 50 percent compared to the older magazine variants, according to officials at Program Executive Office Soldier. Identified by a tan-colored follower, more than 500,000 of the improved magazines have been fielded to units in Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States. "With the improved magazines, we're taking weapons reliability up another notch," said Lt. Col.... Defense Talk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411960/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:53:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410308/posts JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Service members ran a race, played golf blindfolded and choked down the "nastiest" food the chow hall had to offer December 5 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, to raise money for the Combined Federal Campaign – Overseas. Thirteen four member teams participated in the CFC Amazing Race, to compete to have a $300 check donated to the CFC in their name. The CFC supports charitable organizations through philanthropy by federal employees. TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410308/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:43:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408451/posts As his M1 Abrams tank, nicknamed Bonecrusher, rolled through Fallujah, Iraq, Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch thought about the trail of dead insurgents left in its wake: “Fight and you die. Run and you die. Hide and you die. Hey, this works for me.” Popaditch, or “Gunny Pop” as his Marines called him, commanded a tank platoon during the first Battle of Fallujah in April 2004. Fighting only a week after four American contractors from Blackwater USA were captured, killed and their bodies hung from a bridge, Bonecrusher and Popaditch’s other tank were working with Marine infantry in clearing insurgents out... Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408451/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:57:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407773/posts Afghanistan, American aircraft equipped with radar (that can see what's on the ground), are tailing Taliban suspects driving through remote areas. Operators in these JSTARS aircraft can track movement of ground units, or individual vehicles, over a wide area. Operators can also use the detail mode to pick out specific details of what's going on down there, like tracking the movement of vehicles fleeing the scene of a battle, or meeting with Taliban leaders. JSTARS is real good at picking up trucks moving along highways on flat terrain, but the equipment has now been tweaked to deal with the mountains... The Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407773/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:02:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407019/posts U.S. Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the military's focus now is the rapid deployment of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan and the initial elements of the surge will begin arriving next week. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Admiral Mullen says orders have been issued to combat infantry, engineers and civil affairs experts to deploy to Afghanistan, with 1,500 Marines expected to arrive in southern Helmand Province next week. Mullen indicated there is a sense of urgency at the Pentagon to implement U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to send tens of thousands of... Defense Talk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407019/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:49:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401897/posts In the past several years, the U.S. Army has developed an advanced generation of protective ballistic plates for soldiers in what it calls the “X-Sapi” (Small-Arms Protective Insert) program. But, despite buying 120,000 plates from Ceradyne and BAE Systems, it has yet to issue the gear to troops in the field—and it may not ever do so. The Army’s product manager for Soldier Protective Equipment, Lt. Col. Jon Rickey, says the plates are designed to defeat an “X-threat” that hasn’t yet fully emerged, but delivery of the plates began late this year. “We are in the middle of doing lot-acceptance... Aviation Week and Space Technology http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401897/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 08:42:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401236/posts The Army is severely short of enough mental health professionals to properly attend to soldiers after eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Pentagon and Congress are asking whether that shortage may have played a role in the ability of the accused Fort Hood shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, to elude detection despite a spotty work record and suspicious behavior. Hasan’s competence and radicalism stirred concern among his fellow students and superiors and he was counseled for proselytizing to his patients, but he nevertheless progressed in his schooling and his military career throughout his six years at... Stars and Stripes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401236/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 00:00:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2395778/posts The U.S. Army has finally addressed years of complaints about the M-4 and M-16 assault rifles. The M-4 is a short barrel M-16, and has become very popular with the troops. The army has asked the Department of Defense for permission to spend a few hundred million dollars on upgrades for its 400,000 M-4 assault rifles. The big change is replacing the main portion of the rifle with a new component that contains a short stroke piston gas system (to reduce buildup of carbon inside the rifle) and a heavier (by five ounces) barrel (which reduces barrel failure from too... Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2395778/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:11:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393139/posts FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Thousands of people braved a cold, drizzly Monday for a chance to meet former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who was signing copies of her memoir at a Fort Bragg store. Some people camped out overnight, and the line snaked around the North Post-Exchange by the time Palin arrived at 11:15 a.m. The crowd chanted Palin's name when her "Going Rogue" tour bus pulled up outside the PX. "We love Sarah because she's a woman and she's smart," Sandra Harvath said. "She loves this country. I voted for her last time, and I'd vote for... WRAL Fayetteville http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393139/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:01:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391197/posts RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The U.S. Army has reversed its position and now says it will open Sarah Palin's appearance on Fort Bragg to media despite fears the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama. Fort Bragg officials said Friday in a news advisory that any interested media will be able to attend. A day earlier, a spokesman said media would be prevented from attending so the Palin book signing would not become a political platform to express opinions "directed against the commander in chief." Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391197/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:23:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2390243/posts It's a conspiracy, for goodness sake. Imagine if they tried to pull this fascist garbage with Bush (remember the call of the Democrats? Buck Fush!). Army fears anti-Obama politics at Palin event Yahoo.com hat tip Pamela RALEIGH, N.C. – The U.S. Army plans to prevent media from covering Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg, fearing the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama, officials said Thursday. Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum told The Associated Press that the military post's garrison commander and other Army officials had decided to keep media away from Palin's book signing, which will... Atlas Shrugs http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2390243/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:46:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388856/posts Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants a "unified" in quiry into the Army's in ability to recognize warning signs of the sort broadcast for months by its homicidal Islamist psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. "This is larger than the Army," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell yesterday. "These are issues that need to be looked at department-wide." Well, that shouldn't take any longer than a year or two -- scant comfort to the soldiers and Marines silently going into harm's way wondering whose side that man with the gun over there is really on. NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388856/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:09:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388788/posts ..At first glance, the XM-25 looks like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. It features an array of sights, sensors and lasers housed in a Target Acquisition Fire Control unit on top, an oversized magazine behind the trigger mechanism, and a short, ominous barrel wrapped by a recoil dampening sleeve. Unlike a Hollywood prop, however, this weapon is very real and designed to accurately deliver an explosive round that neutralizes targets at distances of up to 700 meters - well past the range of the rifles and carbines that most Soldiers carry today.... military.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388788/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:35:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387271/posts The U.S. Army Special Forces is equipping 18 A Teams (officially known as ODAs, or Operational Detachment Alpha) with Land Warrior electronic equipment. But the Special Forces gear will have one special addition; satellite communications. Normally, Land Warrior comms use line-of-sight (FM) radio. But in the hilly Afghan terrain, and with the dispersed tactics used by Special Forces, satellite communications makes more sense. This is yet another field test for the cancelled Land Warrior project. Last Summer, the army sent an infantry brigade, equipped with Land Warrior gear, to Afghanistan. All this is happening, in spite of the fact that,... The Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387271/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:15:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386387/posts Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, and Army Chief of Staff General George W. Casey, Jr. have held a news conference on Fort Hood following yesterday's massacre which left 13 people dead and about 30 injured. Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386387/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:42:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386011/posts Suicides reported among active-duty soldiers more than doubled in October, according to Army data released Friday. The Army is investigating 16 potential suicides for October in comparison to the seven suicides reported to Army officials in September of this year. The Army is still investigating four of the suicides reported in September. The newly released October data brings the number of reported suicides in 2009 to 133, 18 more cases than were reported between January 2008 and October 2008. Among soldiers in the Reserve component of the Army, who are not serving on active duty, there were eight potential suicides... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386011/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:55:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2386007/posts EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a narrative from a U.S. Army Colonel who was an eyewitness to the attack on fellow soldiers by Major Nidal Malik Hasan at Ft. Hood, Texas on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 which led to the deaths of 13 members of the U.S. Army and the wounding of 30 others. This JAG (Judge Advocate General) officer had his account transcribed by a retired General in the U.S. Army. The story told here may be in contrast to what is being released to the media by C.I.D.'s* inqueries into the incident. The following first person narrative is... RFFM.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2386007/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:49:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2384520/posts I am missing something here. After the attack and murder of 13 innocent people by an apparent imbedded radical Jihadist in the US Army, General Casey said on Meet The Press, "Our diversity, not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse." I have some questions for any military officer who swore an oath on several occasions to support and defend the Constitution. How many innocent Americans have to be murdered by someone who displayed every single modus operandi of... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2384520/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:17:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383157/posts STREAMING ON FOX: http://interactive.foxnews.com/livestream/live.html?chanId=5 FOX http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383157/posts#comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:41:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382718/posts Lockheed Martin successfully fired a U.S. Army Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket 92 kilometers in a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The flawless test highlighted recent product improvements of this battle-proven system to give it a longer reach, maintaining its accuracy and effectiveness while minimizing potential collateral damage. Firing crews for the launch were from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery from Fort Lewis, WA. This test firing of a unitary GMLRS met all mission objectives, which included: + Verify production of GMLRS and HIMARS production lines; + Validating rocket and launcher reliability; + Proving... Space War http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382718/posts#comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:50:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382001/posts General George Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, said on Sunday that he was concerned that speculation about the religious beliefs of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, accused of killing 12 fellow soldiers and one civilian and wounding dozens of others in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, could “cause a backlash against some of our Muslim soldiers.” “I’ve asked our Army leaders to be on the lookout for that,” General Casey said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union. “It would be a shame — as great a tragedy as this was — it would be a... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382001/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:17:42 GMT